Dangers of Doctors Poor Writing and Shorthand

Thu, 11 Mar 2010
Inappropriate use of abbreviations and illegible writing on hospital prescription charts are causing prescription errors, so say the latest findings presented this week at Diabetes UK’s Annual Professional Conference in Liverpool .

Royal Liverpool University Hospital researchers studied 75 prescription charts of diabetics and discovered that in 5 per cent of cases, doctors own abbreviations and quickly written notes can easily be misread by nursing staff.

The audit also reveals that one out of six charts had prescription errors. Most of these prescription errors were illegible, a few had no dates and some had not been signed by the prescribing doctors.

Medication is only administered if the prescription is signed by a doctor.

This means that there was delay in the administration of insulin .

Moreover, one in three charts did not have the correct timings for insulin injections .

Correct insulin doses and timely co-ordination of medication are basic, yet key factors for effective diabetes management and enhanced health .

Ten per cent of those in hospital have diabetes. Even though not all diabetics treat their condition with insulin, the possible health risks to tens of thousands of people can be avoided by simple measures.

Hospitals ought to ensure that specialist diabetes teams are available to ensure competences of non-diabetes staff and offer appropriate support to ensure diabetics in hospital are able to access the high quality care they expect.

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